* The bark hoop earrings are 100% recycled brass & 14 karat-gold/sterling silver plated * Earring posts are sterling silver to prevent allergies * Earrings are sustainably and ethically made * There's no nickel, cadmium or lead in our jewelry - making it nontoxic * Every Laura Elizabeth jewelry comes in an anti-tarnish bag (keeping your jewelry sparkling longer!) Merci (pronounced Mercy) AKA Merce and Mercedes has been my friend since my freshman year of high school. So a very long time. Merci has a laugh that, if you hear it from across the room you turn to see what she's laughing at. There's something naughty in her laugh.